St. Paul Midway 'bus barn' open for transit development

St. Paul officials hope to install a major model for "transit oriented development" along the Central Corridor Light Rail Transit line, or Green Line.

The city of St. Paul is promoting ideas for one of the larger development opportunities within the city's borders -- the former Metro Transit "bus barn" lot off Interstate 94, near Snelling and University avenues.

The city's new web page, www.stpaul.gov/snelling, describes 10 acres owned by the Metropolitan Council, as well as an adjoining parcel to the immediate east that the city's Housing and Redevelopment Authority has an option to buy, for a total of 14.7 acres.

The city, Met Council and St. Paul Riverfront Corp. have also entered into discussions with RK Midway LCC, which owns the 18.8-acre Midway Shopping Center and one-acre bank lot near the Metro Transit bus parking lot.

That brings the total acreage to 34.5 acres, including 15 acres of vacant land, bounded by University Avenue to the north and Interstate 94 to the south, between Snelling Avenue and Pascal Street.

A consultant team is studying potential uses for the high-profile site, and a report is expected in April. The Met Council will ultimately sell the land and the city will oversee the regulatory requirements and public investments.

City officials expect redevelopment to be to be phased over a series of years.